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Detroit Red Wings vs Minnesota Wild Picks and Predictions – Thursday, January 22, 2026
The Detroit Red Wings roll into Saint Paul on Thursday night to face the Minnesota Wild, with puck drop set for 9:30 PM ET on ESPN+. Detroit has been stacking wins lately and this is the kind of road spot that tells you if the surge is real, because Minnesota can score and they can force you into a special teams game.
Minnesota’s storyline is simple: Vladimir Tarasenko has found a rhythm. He’s been finishing again, and it changes the way you have to defend the Wild because you cannot overplay one look and hope the rest stays quiet. Detroit’s counter is also straightforward: their top-end creators are still dangerous late in games, and they’ve been comfortable playing overtime-style hockey even in regulation.
The market is giving Minnesota the respect of home ice here, but the handicap swings hard on goalie confirmation and whether this turns into a power play contest or a 5v5 grind.
Detroit Red Wings vs Minnesota Wild Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep an eye on the latest NHL odds as moneyline and total prices can move quickly once the crease is confirmed.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | +126 | +1.5 | 6.5 |
| Minnesota Wild | -140 | -1.5 | 6.5 |
Detroit Red Wings Betting Form
Detroit is playing with confidence right now, and it shows in how they manage risk. They’re not just trading chances for fun. They’ve been more patient through the neutral zone, and when they do attack, it tends to be with layers so they’re not giving up odd-man rushes every time a puck bounces the wrong way. That matters against Minnesota because the Wild will punish loose changes and soft coverage with quick-strike looks.
The other key for Detroit is finishing games. They’ve been comfortable in one-goal scripts, and that’s a big reason I’m hesitant to lay -1.5 on Minnesota. Detroit can get to the third period down one and still be live, especially if Patrick Kane is getting touches in space and the Wings are drawing penalties.
If you want the cleanest read on recent splits and how Detroit’s results have been traveling, use Detroit Red Wings stats and results. For lineup certainty before you bet, check the linked Detroit Red Wings injury report and make sure you’re not pricing in a full forward group that isn’t actually dressing.
Minnesota Wild Betting Form
Minnesota’s offense has multiple gears right now. Tarasenko’s surge has given them another finisher who doesn’t need ten chances to score, and that changes how opponents defend their middle-six minutes. When that line is rolling, Minnesota’s shot quality improves because defenses can’t just shade everything to the usual triggers and live with the rest.
The Wild also tend to look different depending on who starts in net. Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt each bring a different feel to the game state, and it matters for totals. If Minnesota is confident in the crease, they’ll press more aggressively on the forecheck and trust the back end to clean up. If it’s less certain, you’ll see more conservative puck management and fewer reckless pinches.
For home form, recent game flow, and how Minnesota’s scoring has been trending, use Minnesota Wild schedule and stats. Before you commit to a side or total, check the linked Minnesota Wild injury report because one missing defenseman can swing how Minnesota defends the slot and how often they take penalties while chasing.
Detroit Red Wings vs Minnesota Wild Matchup Breakdown
At 5v5, the biggest question is whether Detroit can keep Minnesota out of the soft middle. The Wild are at their best when they’re creating second looks and forcing broken coverage, and Tarasenko’s finishing lately makes those breakdowns more expensive. If Detroit’s defense is late on switches or if their gaps get loose in the neutral zone, Minnesota’s rush game shows up fast.
Special teams can decide this game. Minnesota’s power play has the talent to create immediate separation if Detroit gets undisciplined, but Detroit is also dangerous when games open up late and teams start trading penalties or taking risks. If you’re betting the total, you’re really betting the whistle, the goaltending, and whether this game stays structured.
Goaltending is still the swing piece. Minnesota could go Gustavsson or Wallstedt, and Detroit could counter with John Gibson or Cam Talbot. Each of those options pushes the handicap in a different direction. If you’re betting early, you’re accepting that variance. If you’re waiting, you’re probably paying a worse number, but you’ll be betting with cleaner information.
Detroit Red Wings vs Minnesota Wild Predictions and Best Bets
Minnesota deserves to be favored at home, but I don’t love the idea of paying a full favorite price without confirmed goalies. Detroit has been winning tight games and they’re not a soft opponent right now. If this stays mostly 5v5, Detroit’s ability to hang around makes the underdog and the +1.5 puck line attractive.
Where I see the cleanest angle is the total. Minnesota’s offense has been in higher-event mode, and Detroit’s recent run has included plenty of late-game volatility. If the game is tied or within one in the third, both teams have enough skill to turn a single mistake into two goals in a hurry.
The risk to an Over position is obvious: if both teams start a goaltender in strong form and the first period plays slow, you can get stuck needing a perfect third period. Still, the way these teams are trending, I’d rather bet into scoring upside than hope for a sterile, low-penalty game.
Best Bet: Over 6.5
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building a card, start with the day’s NHL picks and look for spots where your number disagrees with the market, especially on totals tied to goalie uncertainty. This is also a slate where tracking who’s actually hot matters, because NHL edges can be thin when the market is tight.
For bettor-facing performance, check the best handicappers and compare current form on the leaderboard. If you want full-slate coverage, packages and daily access are available through buy picks, and you can keep this matchup in context with the broader board on the NHL previews hub. For process, the NHL betting guide helps with market fundamentals, and the Stanley Cup betting guide is useful once futures and schedule density start driving pricing.
